Kelly concern over Croker no-shows

GAA president Sean Kelly has pledged “a long, hard look” by authorities at the venues for early round championship games to avoid a repeat of teams slugging it out in front of tiny Croke Park crowds.

Sunday's triple-header in Croke Park was an opportunity to let some of the summer sunlight reflect on the GAA lesser lights, but it turned into a humbling experience for the GAA with just over 17,000 people passing through the Croke Park turnstiles 11,000 tickets having been given out to primary school children.

"The audience on Sunday was disappointing," Kelly agreed. "The championship is what everyone looks forward to. Players and managers put the maximum effort in for this time of year and it is very hard for them when they don't see more fans coming out."